Ukraine Russia war: Zelensky sacks top army commander after days of protests
The move follows days of protests over military reforms and leadership style, with officials saying the army needs faster modernization and stronger battlefield coordination.
- On Tuesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy named Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi after days of mass protests in Kyiv.
- Demonstrators demanded Syrskyi's removal, citing his rigid Soviet-style command culture, while calling for the reinstatement of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who had advocated for military modernization.
- Drapatyi led a 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade battalion in 2014 to rescue besieged officials in Mariupol. He later commanded forces that halted Russian advances on Kryvyi Rih and organized the 2024 defense of the Kharkiv region.
- "I will work responsibly, with full focus, and with respect for the people defending our country today," Drapatyi said on Facebook. Zelenskyy discussed future service with Syrskyi but announced no new post for him.
- The war enters its fifth year as Ukraine seeks to gain the upper hand by striking Russian energy and logistics sectors. The military must maintain operations while navigating internal debates over modernization and command culture.
407 Articles
407 Articles
Ukraine Reshuffles Military Leadership as Syrskyi Leaves Top Command
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed General Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and appointed General Mykhailo Drapatyi to lead the country's military. The leadership change was formalized through presidential decrees. Following his dismissal, Syrskyi said his commitment to Ukraine's military effort remains unchanged despite leaving the country's highest military post. "I have said it before, a…
Al Arabiya
Cyprus MailUkraine gets new top commander as protests spark war’s biggest military shake up
Zelenskyy fires unpopular army chief in an effort to assuage protesters
ALBAWABA - As the protests in Ukraine continue following the firing of popular defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Zelenskyy has fired Fedorov’s rival and Ukraine’s commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and offered Fedorov a ‘prominent position in government’...
Selenskyy dismisses Commander-in-Chief Syrskyj. Civilians and soldiers celebrate the successor – and a historic success. There is a fundamental conflict behind this.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
